Well, one Maryland player made it to San Antonio. As did one from Georgetown.

James Gist will be there for a dunk contest on Thursday night. So will Patrick Ewing Jr.

I'll take my chances on Virginia Tech's Deron Washington, who was anointed the favorite by ESPN's Jimmy Dykes a few weeks ago --- assuming the Hokies didn't last until the NIT title game.

They didn't, which means Washington will be part of a seven-man field also featuring Will Bullard (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi), J.R. Giddens (New Mexico), Brian Randle (Illinois) and Sonny Weems (Arkansas).

--- Patrick Stevens